Our Charity of the Year - Leeds South and East Foodbank

We have chosen Leeds South and East Foodbank as our Charity of the Year. They are experiencing a steep increase in demand so we want to help them cope during the pandemic.

Leeds South and East Foodbank currently manages eleven distribution centres coordinated from a main site in Beeston, providing emergency food parcels and signposting support to members of the local community who are particularly vulnerable.

Paul Johnson, CEO of Radar Healthcare, commented: “We’re passionate about improving healthcare, and not just through software. Poverty and hunger have a huge impact on health and wellbeing at an individual level and so I’m very proud we are able to support Leeds South and East Foodbank.”

The charity has witnessed a 45% increase in need of its services since the lockdown in March, largely as a result of the economic consequences of Covid-19. Support provided by the organisation is comprehensive and focuses on ensuring basic nutritional needs are met and on reducing the stress and anxiety of food poverty.

Radar Healthcare’s partnership with Leeds South and East Foodbank will help to maintain the continuity of the Foodbank services throughout the lockdown, so that those isolating or experiencing a reduced income due to unemployment or furlough don’t go hungry.

As part of this collaboration, we will set up a collection point at our office in the centre of Leeds so that our staff and others can individually donate food to support the charity. For our Christmas party which is remote this year, we are holding a charity auction amongst staff where proceeds will go to the Foodbank. In addition, we are making a cash donation to the Foodbank for every nomination we receive for our Radar Healthcare Hero Awards, an initiative to champion those making a huge difference to patient care.

Volunteers working at Leeds South and East Foodbank

John Casey, the Foodbank’s Chair of Trustees, added: “Leeds South and East Foodbank is looking forward to a productive partnership with Radar Healthcare. As Radar Healthcare’s ‘Charity of the Year’, we will use the additional resources to bring hope and practical support to local people who are unable to feed themselves and their families.”